By Marc Rapport
The ideal office environment has a mix of gadgets for productivity, collaboration, comfort and even portability (for when the work goes on the road).
OFFICE SPACE
GO ERGO
Say you really want to personalize your keyboard—which keys go where, what sound they make, how much pressure you use, whether it’s one piece or two halves—the ErgoDox EZ lets you customize it all. Configure your own, and leave QWERTY in the past. $240.
ergodox-ez.com
PROJECT AN IMAGE
The Brookstone Pocket Projector Micro is small enough to fit in a pocket but can throw an image of up to 50 inches across any meeting-room wall. It connects to smartphones, computers and other devices and has a built-in speaker and rechargeable battery, so your video presentations can travel with you. $150.
866-576-7337; brookstone.com
BREATHE EASIER
If you often find yourself wheezing and sneezing while you work, clear the office air with the TrueAir Compact Air Purifier from Hamilton Beach. Small enough for any office, this air cleaner captures irritating airborne allergens with a permanent HEPA filter. $60.
800-851-8900; hamiltonbeach.com
DESKTOP DOODADS
WEATHER THE STORM
Always know which way the wind is blowing when you keep the Acurite NOAA Weather Alert Radio atop your desk. Along with storm warnings, this handy device also provides local forecasts from the National Weather Service with the push of a button. $40.
800-227-7776; basspro.com
SHARE THE POWER
One little cube has the power to multitask by powering up a variety of devices at once. The Satechi Smart Charging Stand has adapters that show off your Apple Watch, Fitbit Blaze or smartphone while they recharge atop the stand. On the front, three additional USB ports will charge an array of devices simultaneously. $35.
858-268-1800; satechi.net
SHARED SPACES
BREW FOR TWO
Sharing a coffee machine? Accommodate multiple tastes with the FlexBrew Dual Single-Serve Coffee Maker from Hamilton Beach. This versatile appliance accommodates cups and travel mugs, as well as K-Cup packs or up to 14 ounces of ground coffee. $110.
800-851-8900; hamiltonbeach.com
PERSONAL WARMTH
Have that one co-worker who is always melting in summer wear in your office or forces you to bundle up at your desk? Or vice-versa? Here’s a way to end that thermostat tug-of-war. The Lasko MyHeat Personal Heater is just that: individualized heat for small spaces, such as under a desk. It’s energy efficient, and its ceramic heating element self-regulates to avoid overheating. $20.
888-237-8289; bestbuy.com
Marc Rapport is a freelance writer from Columbia, South Carolina. His monthly column also appears in South Carolina Living, the statewide electric co-op magazine of the Palmetto State. Product inclusion on this page does not imply endorsement; product availability and prices are subject to change.
